Learning Forward Saturday
May 30, 3:00 pm, 45 min
Dhruv Mehrotra from FittGen presented a comprehensive fitness program for schools, emphasising the importance of health and fitness. The program, which includes tests for various parameters like hand-eye coordination and agility, costs ₹1,500 per child per year within Tamil Nadu and ₹2,500 outside Tamil Nadu. Dhruv highlighted a 95% improvement in children's fitness due to the program. He also discussed accommodating children with medical conditions and the importance of gradual fitness improvements. The session concluded with a discussion on the benefits of yoga and daily exercise routines for teachers and students.
Action items
- Implement the Fit Generation fitness programme at Prateeksha’s school within the next 15–21 days, including providing iPads and the curriculum and ensuring the school follows the structured programme.
- Share your email ID and phone number with the group so teachers can message or call you with any questions about the Fit Generation programme.
- Share the nutrition plan that was previously sent with the parents so they can follow it for their children’s health.
Here are the questions asked during the meeting and the answers given (speaker noted where available):
1. Q: Can you share the PPT? (technical/help request)
A: Sneha Pundir offered to share the PPT and successfully did so so that Dhruv could present.
2. Q: What are the programme commercials/costs? (Brinda)
A: Dhruv — Cost depends on location and school size. For schools within Tamil Nadu and with >1000 students: ₹1,500 per child per year. For schools outside Tamil Nadu: ₹2,500 per child per year (higher due to the possibility of coaches needing to relocate). There is variation (example: a ₹500 increment in some cases) depending on numbers and logistics.
3. Q: Why is the cost less for Tamil Nadu? (Brinda / Speaker)
A: Dhruv — Lower because coaches/local support are available; outside Tamil Nadu, extra cost accounts for coach relocation or finding local staff.
4. Q: How do you reach children from different/disadvantaged backgrounds (NGO schools, rural children) who may have different home situations? (Brinda)
A: Dhruv — Every child can benefit from basic daily movement; the programme uses simple exercises and technology for tracking so teachers can monitor progress. Even minimal, regular basic movements produce improvement. Fittgen adapts the curriculum to the school context.
5. Q: Can the programme work in schools that cannot spare daily timetable slots? Can children follow routines from home? (Brinda)
A: Dhruv — Yes. The programme is flexible; there are app-based sessions and routines that children (and parents) can follow at home if school time is constrained.
6. Q: Are there accommodations for students with medical conditions (e.g., diabetes)? (Minakshi Prasad)
A: Dhruv — The first step is medical identification by a doctor. Most conditions (including many cases of diabetes related to obesity) can be helped with gradual diet control and basic movement. Exercise plans must be gradual and tailored; severe conditions (e.g., certain heart conditions) may need medical clearance. FittGen also refers nutritionists (with discounts) and can work with medical partners (Apollo Shine Foundation mentioned for non-invasive tests).
7. Q: How to motivate or give tips to adult teachers for maintaining fitness/energy? (Brinda)
A: Dhruv — Daily 30 minutes of basic yoga/pranayama/walking and a modest diet change can yield large benefits. He shared personal/family examples (his parents’ improved health) and recommended making fitness a daily habit.
8. Q: Do you tie the programme into the school timetable and ensure mandatory participation? (Brinda / re: Vellumal school example)
A: Dhruv — The programme is designed to be integrated into school schedules; FittGen works with schools to make it mandatory and slot it into timetables. If schools can’t provide daily slots, app/home routines are an alternative.
9. Q: For Prateeksha’s school: Will you implement Fit Gen there soon? (implied by Dharma/Prateeksha)
A: Dhruv — Yes; he confirmed a visit/implementation in about 15–21 days, and provided iPads and curriculum, asking the school to follow the programme.
10. Q: How are students’ fitness parameters tracked and reported? (implied from presentation/teacher queries)
A: Dhruv — FittGen tests multiple parameters (height, weight, speed, endurance, flexibility, agility, reaction, coordination, balance, strength), provides dashboards and individually measured report cards, and gives teachers analysis to focus training where students lack skills.
11. Q: Can parents be involved, and are there nutrition plans? (Minakshi / others)
A: Minakshi — She had shared a nutrition plan with parents.
A: Dhruv — FittGen provides nutrition charts at the beginning of the year and refers nutritionists (with discounts) to support families.
12. Q: Are there medical/health partners for testing? (implied)
A: Dhruv — Yes; Apollo Shine Foundation was mentioned as a medical partner for non-invasive tests when needed.
Notes courtesy of Otter AI
